SF 2799

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/18/2016 09:52am

A bill for an act
relating to campaigns; modifying false political and campaign material law;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 211B.06, subdivision 1; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 211B.06, subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 211B.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

deleted text begin Gross deleted text end Misdemeanor.

deleted text begin (a) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor
who intentionally participates in the preparation, dissemination, or broadcast of paid
political advertising or campaign material with respect to the personal or political
character or acts of a candidate, or with respect to the effect of a ballot question, that is
designed or tends to elect, injure, promote, or defeat a candidate for nomination or election
to a public office or to promote or defeat a ballot question, that is false, and that the person
knows is false or communicates to others with reckless disregard of whether it is false.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who intentionally participates in the drafting
of a letter to the editor with respect to the personal or political character or acts of a
candidate, or with respect to the effect of a ballot question, that is designed or tends to
elect, injure, promote, or defeat any candidate for nomination or election to a public office
or to promote or defeat a ballot question, that is false, and that the person knows is false or
communicates to others with reckless disregard of whether it is false.

Sec. 2. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 211B.06, subdivision 2, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end